[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59339-59340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29036]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-059N]


Third Annual Federal/State Conference on Food Safety

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS), in cooperation with the Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA), an agency of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS), will hold ``The Third Annual Federal/State Conference 
on Food Safety.'' The conference will focus on building Federal and 
State partnerships to facilitate the management of food safety concerns 
at the State and local levels.

DATES: The conference will be held on November 20 and 21, 1997, from 
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The conference will be held at the Ramada Inn, 2600 Auburn 
Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95821; telephone (916) 487-7600; FAX 
(916) 481-7112.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To register for the meeting, contact 
Ms. Traci Phebus at (202) 501-7138, FAX (202) 501-7642, or E-mail to 
[email protected]. If you require a sign language interpreter or 
other accommodations, contact Ms. Mary Harris at (202) 501-7315.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 25, 1996, FSIS published a final 
rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems (61 FR 38806). The rule introduced sweeping changes to 
the inspection of meat and poultry products. In the preamble of the 
rule, FSIS addressed ``farm-to-table'' strategies which include 
preventive approaches to hazards that occur during transportation, 
distribution, and retail sale of meat, poultry, and egg products. To 
implement these strategies, close coordination between Federal and 
State governments is necessary.
    For the past two years, FSIS has held a ``Federal/State Conference 
on Food

[[Page 59340]]

Safety.'' The 1995 and 1996 conferences brought together 
representatives from the principal Federal and State food safety 
organizations who discussed their views on the best ways to apply 
limited resources to improve farm-to-table food safety.
    This year's conference will explore ways in which Federal and State 
partnerships can be organized to maximize valuable resources and 
facilitate the management of food safety concerns at the State and 
local levels. California, which has developed successful partnerships 
with Federal agencies, will highlight some of its experiences. Other 
States also are encouraged to discuss their recent initiatives in farm-
to-table food safety.
    Representatives from USDA, FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, and State food safety agencies have been invited to 
participate and discuss other topics of mutual interest.

    Done at Washington, DC on October 24, 1997.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-29036 Filed 10-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P